NORWICH – Harry J. Combes Sr., 63, life-long Norwich resident, passed away Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at his home.
A well-known “man about town” who knew and liked everyone, Harry was born in Norwich in July of 1946, the son of Benjamin and Ruth Edna Cookhouse Combes. He attended school in Norwich and, though he later worked for short times for Kenyon Press and Rea-D-Pack Foods, spent most of his working years in the family business. Combes Sanitation, which he joined at the early age of 16. On May 30, 1982, in North Norwich, he married Dianna Piatt. Harry was an outgoing fellow who liked to be out and about, greeting everyone he knew. He collected everything, loved the Chenango County Fair, and had developed an interest in karaoke, especially when he tried to sing along with Johnny Cash records.
Harry is survived by his wife of 27 years, Dianna Combes of Norwich; by his children: Harry Combes Jr. and fiancee Jessica Gallagher of Oneonta, Beverly Combes and fiancé Scott Gallagher of Norwich, Billy Combes and fiancee Alicia Sheeley of Plymouth, and Benjamin Combes of Oneonta; and by his sisters: Mabel Baker of Norwich, Mary Lindholm and husband Mel of Tennessee, and Eva Fowlston, Helen Rowe and husband Clarence, Rose Whittaker and husband Jim, June Conway and husband Ernest, and Nina Lieb, all of Norwich. Harry is also survived by his brothers: Charles Combes and John Combes and wife Betty, all of Norwich, Frank Combes and wife Sharon of Preston, and Earl Combes and wife Rose of Cincinnatus; by his sister-in-law, Bessie Combes of Greene; by his grandchildren: Nathaniel Thomas, Madison Combes, Brendon, Xaiver Combes, Lucas Combes-Sheeley, and ScottLee Gallagher; and by nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Grace and Pearl, and brothers Joe and George.
Funeral services for Harry will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford, pastor of the Earlville Baptist Church, will officiate.
Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the service at 11.